How Lakhvi got bail, who stood for surety bond? India to seek answers

India is likely to ask Pakistan as to how Mumbai terror attack accused Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi was released from bail in violation of the UN norms as his outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba was a designated terrorist group.

New Delhi is expected to send a diplomatic note to Islamabad, seeking a reply on how Lakhvi submitted two bail bonds worth Rs 1 million each for his release and who stood for the surety. Sources said Indian security establishment suspects that ISI might have arranged the surety bonds to ensure Lakhvi’s release. India has already sought the UN’s intervention in the release of Lakhvi. India said it was in violation of the norms of the global body and it should raise the matter with Pakistan.

In a letter to the current Chair of the UN Sanctions Committee Jim McLay, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asoke Mukherjee said Lakhvi’s release was in violation of the 1267 UN resolution dealing with designated entities and individuals. The sanctions measures apply to designated individuals and entities associated with terror groups including al-Qaeda and LeT, wherever located. 

The letter mentioned that even the bail amount provided was against the sanctions’ committee rule, which calls for freezing the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. The sanctions’ committee has five permanent and 10 non-permanent UN member states. Lakhvi’s release had  also raised concerns in the US, with Washington calling for him to be rearrested.